How close can you get to whales in a boat?
Be alert and watch for whales and dolphins at all times. When in a vessel, do not approach closer than 100m to any whale or 50m to any dolphin. The caution zone for vessels is the area within 300m of a whale and 150m of a dolphin.
Are you allowed to swim with whales in Australia?
Deliberately swimming or diving (including the use of SCUBA or hookah gear) with whales and dolphins is prohibited unless under the authorisation of the relevant state, territory or Australian Government agency.
Is it illegal to touch a whale?
It is illegal, she said, for a person to come within 300 feet of a gray whale under federal law. The Marine Mammal Protection Act also states anyone who harasses or disturbs a gray whale could face civil or criminal charges. “We feel people do not mean to harm them, but they may inadvertently do so,” Schramm said.
How close can whale watching boats get to whales?
100 yards
When Viewing Marine Mammals By Watercraft Federal law requires vessels to remain 100 yards away from humpback whales in Hawaii and Alaska waters, 200 yards from killer whales in Washington State inland waters, and 500 yards away from North Atlantic right whales throughout U.S. waters.
Are you allowed to touch whales?
Where can you go whale watching?
Top Whale-Watching Destinations
- Santa Barbara, California.
- Monterey Bay, California.
- Kodiak Island, Alaska.
- San Juan Islands, Washington.
- Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
- Virginia Beach.
- Long Island, New York.
- Cape May, New Jersey.
Is it legal to touch a whale?
Why is it illegal to swim with whales?
Swimming with whales or touching them disrupts their natural behavior. This can cause large amounts of stress in certain whales, potentially putting the diver in danger. Some whales experience less stress or are more used to humans.